Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Utilizing Solar Panels To Power Water Heaters

To put it in layman's terms, solar electricity is the use of photovoltaic solar cells to convert the photon power from the sun into electric energy. In turn, expounded electrical energy is used to provide power to the household appliances from the cell telephone charger to the lights.

In most residential applications, the solar cells are mounted in a fixed position preferably on a southward-facing roof. Other alternatives include ground-mounted racks on fixed positions as well as solar cells on tracking systems, which can be moved on their axis to keep the panels oriented towards the sun at all times in the day.

Workings of Solar Electricity

Photovoltaic cells are the main parts of a solar electricity system, with the inverter and the battery as the other 2 elements. When sunlight strikes the photovoltaic cells, the sun's energy excites the electrons in the cells that generate the electric voltage and current. In turn, the thin wires on the photovoltaic cells' top layer carry the electric current into the circuit and, from there, to the appliances and lights.

It must be noted that the energy produced by the solar cells are in direct current. Though you can buy special appliances running on direct current, it is a better option to install an inverter to convert direct current into alternating power, which is the present on which virtually all home gadgets are designed for.

Benefits of Solar Electricity

there are lots of benefits to using solar electricity in your house such as :

- Savings on electricity bill is possible since there's smaller dependency on the main grid. In reality, you can run your electric meter backwards in the shape of contributions to the main grid, which is then subtracted from your bill!
- value of the home is increased since potential buyers will need to pay more for the cost-saving alternative already installed in the home.
- System can pay for itself in 3-4 years' time and, from then on, everything is pure savings.
- there is not any need to stress about upkeep costs as there is very small to it. Add in the incontrovertible fact that federal and state tax breaks and incentives are available and you have a system that's highly cheap.
- lesser dependence on foreign oil, which is excellent for the economy indeed.
- Plus, with more green jobs generated with the increasing patronage of solar cells and other forms of replenish-able energy, the economy can be pulled out of its doldrums.

Of course, the most vital benefit is that the environment is protected from further degradation brought on by the dependance on fossil fuel-generated electricity. An interesting article that also lists some great reasons to go with solar electricity is located here: Solar Panels For Your Home

- Different Types of Solar Electric Systems

There are three types of solar electrical systems currently in application for home houses. Your decision will rely on a variety of factors including location, available budget and energy goals and wishes to name a few points to consider.

First, the grid intertied solar electric systems generate power for routing into the main electrical utility grid. Second, the grid-intertied solar-electric systems with battery backup that still provides power even in the event of blackouts. 3rd, the off-grid solar-electric systems are compatible for remote locations.

Really, solar electricity is an especially valid option when you want to save on your electricity bill as well as save the environment. You just need to brush up on the details so as to maximise its potential in your life.

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